The Otterbein Hymnal Part 35

2 To pa.s.s that limit is to die, To die as if by stealth; It does not quench the beaming eye, Nor pale the glow of health.

3 Oh! where is this mysterious bourne By which our path is crossed; Beyond which G.o.d himself hath sworn That he who goes is lost?

4 How far may we go on to sin?

How long will G.o.d forbear?

Where does hope end, and where begin The confines of despair?

5 An answer from the skies is sent,-- "Ye that from G.o.d depart, While it is called to-day, repent, And harden not your heart."

Joseph Addison Alexander.

211 Azmon. C.M.

_The Last Resolve._ (416)

Come, humble sinner! in whose breast A thousand thoughts revolve: Come, with your guilt and fear oppressed, And make this last resolve:--

2 "I'll go to Jesus, though my sin Like mountains round me close; I know his courts, I'll enter in Whatever may oppose.

3 "Prostrate I'll lie before his throne, And there my guilt confess; I'll tell him I'm a wretch undone, Without his sovereign grace.

4 "Perhaps he will admit my plea; Perhaps will hear my prayer; But, if I perish, I will pray, And perish only there.

5 "I can but perish if I go, I am resolved to try; For, if I stay away, I know I must forever die."

Edmund Jones, 1777.

212 Sessions. L.M.

_My Spirit Shall Not Always Strive._ (427)

Say, sinner, hath a voice within Oft whispered to thy secret soul, Urged thee to leave the ways of sin, And yield thy heart to G.o.d's control?

2 Sinner! it was a heavenly voice,-- It was the Spirit's gracious call; It bade thee make the better choice, And haste to seek in Christ thine all.

3 Spurn not the call for life and light; Regard in time the warning kind; That call thou may'st not always slight And yet the gate of mercy find.

4 G.o.d's Spirit will not always strive With hardened self-destroying men; Ye, who persist his love to grieve, May never hear his voice again.

5 Sinner! perhaps this very day Thy last accepted time may be: Oh! should'st thou grieve him now away Then hope may never beam on thee.

Mrs. Ann B. Hyde.

213 Just As Thou Art. L.M.

_Just As Thou Art._ (428)

Just as thou art--without one trace Of love, or joy, or inward grace,-- Or meekness for the heav'nly place,-- Oh, guilty sinner! come,--now come.

2 Thy sins I bore on Calvary's tree; The stripes, thy due, were laid on me, That peace and pardon might be free;-- Oh, wretched sinner! come,--now come.

3 Burdened with guilt, would'st thou be blessed?

Trust not the world; it gives no rest; I bring relief to hearts oppressed;-- Oh, weary sinner! come,--now come.

4 Come, hither bring thy boding fears, Thy aching heart, thy bursting tears; 'Tis mercy's voice salutes thine ears;-- Oh, trembling sinner! come,--now come.

5 "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come!"

Rejoicing saints re-echo, "Come!"

Who faints, who thirsts, who will, may come; Thy Savior bids thee come,--now come.

Russell S. Cook, 1850, _a._

214 Jesus is Calling. P.M.

_The Call of Christ._

Jesus is tenderly calling thee home-- Calling to-day, calling to-day; Why from the suns.h.i.+ne of love wilt thou roam Farther and farther away?

Ref.--Calling to-day, Calling to-day.

Jesus is calling, Is tenderly calling to-day.

2 Jesus is calling the weary to rest-- Calling to-day, calling to-day; Bring him thy burden and thou shalt be blest; He will not turn thee away.

3 Jesus is waiting, oh, come to him now-- Waiting to-day, waiting to-day; Come with thy sins, at his feet lowly bow; Come, and no longer delay.

4 Jesus is pleading, oh, list to his voice-- Hear him to-day, hear him to-day; They who believe on his name shall rejoice; Quickly arise and away.

f.a.n.n.y J. Crosby.

215 Goshen. 11s.

_All Things Ready._ (469)

Oh, turn ye, oh, turn ye, for why will ye die, When G.o.d, in great mercy, is coming so nigh?

Now Jesus invites you, the Spirit says, "Come!"

And angels are waiting to welcome you home.

2 How vain the delusion, that while you delay, Your hearts may grow better by staying away!

Come wretched, come starving, come just as you be, While streams of salvation are flowing so free.

3 And now Christ is ready your souls to receive; Oh, how can you question, if you will believe?

If sin is your burden, why will you not come?

'Tis you he bids welcome; he bids you come home.